The Perfect Day in Monte Carlo, Monaco

Whether you are in Monte Carlo for the famous Monaco Grand Prix race or just visiting for the day from Nice, France, you can find there is a lot to do in this jam-packed, small country. 

Getting to Monte Carlo

If you are like most, you likely will be coming to Monte Carlo from Nice, France, which is only a 45-minute bus or car ride to the city. There are three main ways to get to Monte Carlo from Nice, France, either by car or bus, or the train that runs through both cities. 

When I was visiting Monte Carlo for the day from Nice, France, where I was staying for a few days, we took the bus. If you are taking this option, I recommend getting to the bus station to buy your ticket and then standing in line for the bus as early as you can in the morning. This is a very popular way to get to Monte Carlo, and the lines can get long, depending on when you visit in the year or for a particular event. 

If you are taking the train to Monte Carlo, it will only take you around 30 minutes to get there.

Either option is good to take, but your views on the bus or car are the best. For parts of your drive, you are along the coast and can see the crystal-clear blue water. 

Hot tip: if you take the bus to Monaco, I recommend sitting on the right side of the bus so you have the best view of the ocean. 

Things to Know about Monaco

Official Language: French

Currency: Euro

Population: 36,686 (2021) - the second-smallest sovereign state in the world, after Vatican City

Government Type: constitutional monarchy

Almost one in three people who live there is a millionaire

Citizens of Monaco, a city famous for its casinos, are forbidden by law from gambling

Getting around Monaco: by public bus, electric bikes, lifts and escalators, taxis, ride share, and last but not least, helicopter 

How to Spend the Perfect Day in Monte Carlo, Monaco

Arrive in Monte Carlo at the Monte Carlo/Casino/Tourist Office by bus – If you want the elusive Monaco passport stamp, stop at the Tourist Office before you start your day.

If you’re like me, you can never go wrong with a few cups of coffee throughout your day. There are several good cafes for a cup of coffee in Monte Carlo, so you won’t have a hard time finding coffee in the city, but if you are hoping to elevate your cup of joe, I recommend going to The Café de Paris on the Place du Casino. It has a stunning terrace to stop for a quick pastry and coffee.

Once you are well caffeinated, I recommend spending the next one or two hours of your day just wandering around the city. This is personally one of my favorite ways to find cool treasures in the city that might not even be on any tourist list of must-dos! You will also not be disappointed by what you will find throughout the city. You might pass the most legendary car or luxury store. Whether you are a car or designer fanatic or not, I can promise you will be amazed at just how much wealth can be concentrated in one small country.

Once you have done some proper wandering around, make your way to the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo. Whether you’ve only ever heard about this place from the James Bond movie that was filmed here, you need to check out the extraordinary decadence of this casino.

For the full famous casino experience, take 10 or 20 Euros and head to one of the slots, just to say you’ve gambled (and lost!) at the most famous, beautiful casino in the world.

For some great people watching in Monte Carlo, I recommend grabbing a seat on one of the benches outside the casino and the famous Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, which is right next to the casino. You will be greeted by quite an array of luxury cars and designer everything. If you’re like my friend and I who are from the humble midwest in the United States, watching the scenes play out outside these two spots in Monte Carlo is something out of this world.

Next head over to the Port of Hercules, where you will be greeted, depending on the time of year, by the starting point for the Monaco Grand Prix. You do not have to be a racing fan to appreciate the spectacle that is this race. There’s almost no more famous race during the year than this one. When we were there, they were a few weeks out from the race, so the setup was coming together, and we got to walk on the same roads that the race would start from a few weeks after we were there. 

I recommend grabbing lunch, either at a restaurant along the water or grabbing food to go and having a picnic at the best public beach in Monaco, Larvotto Beach (pictured above).

Next, make your way over to the Prince's Palace of Monaco, either to admire the architecture, watch the changing of the guards, or tour the palace. You can buy tickets to visit the Palace of Monaco, which is open to visitors from April to mid-October, every day between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., except in July and August when it is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Right in front of the Prince Palace of Monaco is one of the best views of the Port of Hercules and the Grand Prix setup. 

In the same general vicinity of the palace is a quiet and quaint garden, Saint Martin Gardens. I recommend checking this garden out, as well as the surrounding area, as there are a few other smaller gardens to check out + another panoramic spot of the city and coast, Vue panoramique sur Fontvieille.

Three other great gardens to check out nearby are Roseraie Princesse Grace, Princess Grace Japanese Garden, and aux Canards Garden.

If you still have some time in your day and you were hoping to visit a museum, I recommend checking out the Musée Oceanographique, a museum of marine sciences.

As the sun nears its final hour of the day, grab a bite to eat and take it to one of the many spots along the coast to watch the yachts come in and out of this out-of-this-world country.

List of Things to Do in Monte Carlo, Monaco

• Gamble at the Monte Carlo Casino

• Tour Prince's Palace of Monaco

• Explore Musée Oceanographique

• Wander around the city

• Walk or bike around the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit

• Stroll through the many gardens: Saint Martin Gardens, Jardin Exotique, Roseraie Princesse Grace, and the Japanese Garden

• Visit the Monaco Cathedral

• Picnic at Larvotto Beach

• Attend an opera at the Opera de Monte Carlo

• Have a coffee at The Café de Paris on the Place du Casino

• People watch near the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo and the casino

• Check out the Port of Hercules

• Take in the view at the Vue panoramique sur Fontvieille

• Buy produce for your picnic at La Condamine Market

• Shop along the many luxury storefronts

• Watch a match at Louis II Stadium